The main purpose of inspection chambers, sometimes known as manholes, is to provide access to drains and sewers. Drains need to be inspected by professionals regularly, and inspection chambers allow all parts of the system to be accessed easily. This is especially important when blockages occur, or when repair or maintenance work needs to be carried out.
What are the parts of an inspection chamber called?
There are three parts to the majority of inspection chambers – a base, a riser and a cover.
These can be purchased separately, should individual parts need to be replaced, or as a complete system.
· Inspection chamber bases
The base of the inspection chamber is the part that is located closest to the drains. Bases are supplied in a range of sizes and with a number of inlets to suit pipes of different diameters, depending on your requirements.
· Inspection chamber risers
Located on top of the base, the inspection chamber riser is attached by rubber seals. Risers are available in a range of heights, but if you can’t find the exact height you need, they’re easy to cut to size.
· Inspection chamber covers
Often referred to as manhole covers, the purpose of inspection chamber covers is to ensure safety and prevent unauthorised access to the chamber. As with bases and risers, inspection chamber and manhole covers are available in a wide range of sizes. They also have various weight load limits to suit the needs of your project.
Damaged or missing inspection chambers
A broken manhole cover can be extremely dangerous, potentially causing members of the public to injure themselves.
If there is a lack of inspection chambers, or the chambers are damaged, then some areas of the drains and sewers will be inaccessible. This can cause huge problems if sections of the drains become blocked or require maintenance work, leading to flooding and serious issues for nearby properties.
Where should inspection chambers be located?
There should be an inspection chamber wherever a pipe joins the main sewer, as well as anywhere that the pipe size or direction changes. This is because these are the most likely places for issues to occur.
In addition, if there is a straight run of pipe that measures over 22 metres, it’s important to have an inspection chamber located along this run of piping to ensure full access.
Where to buy inspection chamber parts
It’s important when purchasing inspection chambers systems and their individual parts that you go to a trusted supplier, who can give you the advice you need.
Build Plumb Plastics supply an extensive range of manhole inspection chambers, including foul water and surface water inspection chambers. They also provide bespoke inspection chambers and catchpits for customers with specific requirements.
For more information about inspection chambers and manholes, contact the experts at Build Plumb Plastics. You can give them a call today on 01206 572980. Their knowledgeable team is always on hand to assist with all your drainage needs.